U.S. patent application number 14/153175 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-16 for variable flow valve.
This patent application is currently assigned to American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.. Invention is credited to James P. Downs, Charles G. Stuart.
Application Number | 20150198262 14/153175 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53521010 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150198262 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stuart; Charles G. ; et
al. |
July 16, 2015 |
VARIABLE FLOW VALVE
Abstract
A variable flow valve having an externally threaded valve body,
a valve element and an actuator that includes coil and a plunger
assembly. The coil can be operated to move the plunger assembly to
drive the valve element into engagement with a seat surface on a
valve seat in the valve body.
Inventors: |
Stuart; Charles G.;
(Rochester Hills, MI) ; Downs; James P.; (South
Lyon, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
American Axle & Manufacturing,
Inc.
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
53521010 |
Appl. No.: |
14/153175 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
251/129.15 ;
29/890.124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 1/14 20130101; F16K
31/0665 20130101; B23P 15/001 20130101; Y10T 29/49412 20150115 |
International
Class: |
F16K 31/06 20060101
F16K031/06; B23P 15/00 20060101 B23P015/00; F16K 1/14 20060101
F16K001/14 |
Claims
1. A variable flow valve comprising: a valve body assembly having a
valve body, a valve element guide, a valve element, a valve
actuator guide, a first seal and a second seal, the valve body
having an externally threaded section, a valve element chamber, an
outlet port, and an inlet port, the valve element chamber defining
a valve seat, the outlet port being formed through a first axial
end of the valve body and intersecting the valve chamber radially
outwardly of the valve seat, the inlet port having a first portion,
which intersects the valve seat, and second portion that is in
fluid communication with the first portion and which extends
transverse to a longitudinal axis of the valve body, the valve
element guide being received in the valve element chamber and
defining a valve element channel and a rod channel that are
coincident with the longitudinal axis of the valve body, the valve
element being received in the valve element channel and being
movable along the longitudinal axis between a first position, in
which the valve element is abutted against the valve seat, and a
second position in which the valve element is spaced apart from the
valve seat by a predetermined distance, the valve actuator guide
being received into the valve body and abutted against the valve
element guide, the valve actuator guide including a guide bore
formed therethrough coincident with the longitudinal axis, the
first seal being received on and sealingly engaged to the valve
body in a first seal location that is axially between the second
portion of the inlet port and the first axial end of the valve
body, the second seal being received on and sealingly engaged to
the valve body in a second seal location that is axially spaced
apart from the second portion of the inlet port such that the inlet
port is disposed axially between the first and second seals; and an
actuator having a cover, a plunger assembly and a coil, the cover
being disposed about the plunger assembly and being fixedly coupled
to the valve body, the plunger assembly comprising a rod, which is
received through the rod channel and the guide bore, and an
armature that is coupled to the rod, the plunger assembly being
movable in the cover along the longitudinal axis to move the valve
element from the second position to the first position, the coil
being disposed about the cover and being configured to generate a
magnetic field to move the armature.
2. The variable flow valve of claim 1, wherein the valve element is
a spherical ball.
3. The variable flow valve of claim 1, wherein the second portion
of the inlet port is formed perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis.
4. The variable flow valve of claim 1, wherein the externally
threaded section is disposed axially between the second seal and
the second portion of the inlet port.
5. The variable flow valve of claim 1, wherein the valve body
defines a tool engaging surface having a non-round cross-sectional
shape.
6. The variable flow valve of claim 5, wherein the non-round
cross-sectional shape of the tool engaging surface is a
polygon.
7. The variable flow valve of claim 1, wherein adjacent ends of the
armature and the valve actuator guide have corresponding conical
surfaces.
8. A method for forming a variable flow valve comprising: providing
a valve body having an externally threaded section, a valve element
chamber, an outlet port, and an inlet port, the valve element
chamber defining a valve seat, the outlet port being formed through
a first axial end of the valve body and intersecting the valve
chamber radially outwardly of the valve seat, the inlet port having
a first portion, which intersects the valve seat, and second
portion that is in fluid communication with the first portion and
which extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the valve body;
providing a valve element guide that defines a valve element
channel and a rod channel; installing a valve element to the valve
element channel in the valve element guide; installing the valve
element guide in the valve element chamber such that the valve
element is movable along the longitudinal axis between a first
position, in which the valve element is abutted against the valve
seat, and a second position in which the valve element is spaced
apart from the valve seat by a predetermined distance; installing a
valve actuator guide into the valve body and in abutment with the
valve element guide, the valve actuator guide including a guide
bore formed therethrough coincident with the longitudinal axis;
providing a plunger assembly having a rod and an armature;
positioning the rod through the guide bore and the rod channel such
that the rod is abutted against the valve element and the valve
element is abutted against the valve seat; moving the armature on
the rod such that a first surface on the armature is spaced apart
from a second surface on the valve actuator guide by a
predetermined distance; and securing the rod to the armature.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the rod is press-fit to the
armature.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising bonding the rod to
the armature.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising installing a cover to
the valve actuator guide, the cover defining a cavity into which
the armature is received.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising coupling a coil to
the cover.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a variable flow valve and
an associated method for forming a variable flow valve.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,015 discloses an electromagnetic valve
having a spherical valve element that is fixed to a plunger and
movable in a fluid flow path. U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,331 discloses an
electromagnetic valve in which a plunger is employed to selectively
move a ball element to close the valve. While such valves are
satisfactory for their intended purposes, there remains a need in
the art for an improved electromagnetic valve that can be operated
as a variable flow valve.
SUMMARY
[0004] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0005] In one form, the present teachings provide a variable flow
valve that includes a valve body assembly and an actuator. The
valve body assembly has a valve body, a valve element guide, a
valve element, a valve actuator guide, a first seal and a second
seal. The valve body has an externally threaded section, a valve
element chamber, an outlet port, and an inlet port. The valve
element chamber defines a valve seat. The outlet port is formed
through a first axial end of the valve body and intersects the
valve chamber radially outwardly of the valve seat. The inlet port
has a first portion, which intersects the valve seat, and second
portion that is in fluid communication with the first portion and
which extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the valve body.
The valve element guide is received in the valve element chamber
and defines a valve element channel and a rod channel that are
coincident with the longitudinal axis of the valve body. The valve
element is received in the valve element channel and is movable
along the longitudinal axis between a first position, in which the
valve element is abutted against the valve seat, and a second
position in which the valve element is spaced apart from the valve
seat by a predetermined distance. The valve actuator guide is
received into the valve body and is abutted against the valve
element guide. The valve actuator guide defines a guide bore that
is coincident with the longitudinal axis. The first seal is
received on and is sealingly engaged to the valve body in a first
seal location that is axially between the second portion of the
inlet port and the first axial end of the valve body. The second
seal is received on and is sealingly engaged to the valve body in a
second seal location that is axially spaced apart from the second
portion of the inlet port such that the inlet port is disposed
axially between the first and second seals. The actuator has a
cover, a plunger assembly and a coil. The cover is disposed about
the plunger assembly and is fixedly coupled to the valve body. The
plunger assembly includes a rod, which is received through the rod
channel and the guide bore, and an armature that is coupled to the
rod. The plunger assembly is movable in the cover along the
longitudinal axis to move the valve element from the second
position to the first position. The coil is disposed about the
cover and is configured to generate a magnetic field to move the
armature.
[0006] In another form, the present teachings provide a method for
forming a variable flow valve. The method includes: providing a
valve body having an externally threaded section, a valve element
chamber, an outlet port, and an inlet port, the valve element
chamber defining a valve seat, the outlet port being formed through
a first axial end of the valve body and intersecting the valve
chamber radially outwardly of the valve seat, the inlet port having
a first portion, which intersects the valve seat, and second
portion that is in fluid communication with the first portion and
which extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the valve body;
providing a valve element guide that defines a valve element
channel and a rod channel; installing a valve element to the valve
element channel in the valve element guide; installing the valve
element guide in the valve element chamber such that the valve
element is movable along the longitudinal axis between a first
position, in which the valve element is abutted against the valve
seat, and a second position in which the valve element is spaced
apart from the valve seat by a predetermined distance; installing a
valve actuator guide into the valve body and in abutment with the
valve element guide, the valve actuator guide including a guide
bore formed therethrough coincident with the longitudinal axis;
providing a plunger assembly having a rod and an armature;
positioning the rod through the guide bore and the rod channel such
that the rod is abutted against the valve element and the valve
element is abutted against the valve seat; moving the armature on
the rod such that a first surface on the armature is spaced apart
from a second surface on the valve actuator guide by a
predetermined distance; and securing the rod to the armature.
[0007] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section view of a variable
flow valve constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the variable
flow valve of FIG. 1 illustrating a valve body in more detail.
[0011] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] With reference to FIG. 1, a variable flow valve constructed
in accordance with the present teachings is generally indicated by
reference numeral 10. The variable flow valve 10 can include a
valve body assembly 12 and an actuator 14.
[0013] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the valve body assembly 12 can comprise a
valve body 20, a valve element guide 22, a valve element 24, an
actuator guide 26, a first seal 30 and a second seal 32. The valve
body 20 can have an externally threaded section 36, a tool engaging
surface 38, a valve element chamber 40, at least one outlet port
42, and an inlet port 44. The externally threaded section 36 can be
sized to permit the variable flow valve 10 to be threaded into a
housing (not shown) that defines a portion of a hydraulic circuit
(not shown). The tool engaging surface 38 can be configured to be
gripped by a tool (not shown) to tighten the variable flow valve 10
into the housing. The tool engaging surface 38 can have a non-round
cross-sectional shape that can be shaped in any desired manner,
such as a polygon. In the particular example provided, the
non-round cross-sectional shape of the tool engaging surface 38 is
a hexagon.
[0014] The valve element chamber 40 can define a valve seat 50 that
can be shaped in a desired manner. In the example provided, the
valve seat 50 has a seat surface that is defined by a spherical
radius, but it will be appreciated that other shapes, including a
conical shape, could be employed in lieu of a spherical radius. The
outlet port 42 can be formed through a first axial end 52 of the
valve body 20 and can intersect the valve element chamber 40
radially outwardly of the valve seat 50. In the example provided,
two outlet ports 42 are provided. The inlet port 44 can have a
first portion 56, which can intersects the valve seat 50 and be
disposed coincident with a longitudinal axis A of the valve body
20, and second portion 58 that is in fluid communication with the
first portion 56 and which can extend transverse to the
longitudinal axis A. In the example provided, the inlet port 44 is
formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.
[0015] The valve element guide 22 can be received in the valve
element chamber 40 and can define a valve element channel 60 and a
rod channel 62 that are coincident with the longitudinal axis A of
the valve body 20. In the example provided, the valve element guide
22 is a generally hollow cylindrical element that is received in a
first counterbore 64 formed in the valve body 20.
[0016] The valve element 24 can be received in the valve element
channel 60 and can be movable along the longitudinal axis A between
a first position, in which the valve element 24 is abutted against
the valve seat 50, and a second position in which the valve element
24 is spaced apart from the valve seat 50 by a predetermined
distance. The valve element 24 can be shaped in a matter that
corresponds to the seat surface of the valve seat 50. In the
particular example provided, the valve element 24 is a spherical
ball.
[0017] The actuator guide 26 can be received into the valve body 20
and abutted against the valve element guide 22. In the example
provided, the actuator guide 26 is received into a second
counterbore 66 formed in the valve body 20. The actuator guide 26
can define a guide bore 68 that can be formed through the actuator
guide 26 coincident with the longitudinal axis A.
[0018] The first seal 30 can be received on and sealingly engaged
to the valve body 20 in a first seal location that is located
axially (i.e., along the longitudinal axis A) between the second
portion 58 of the inlet port 44 and the first axial end 52 of the
valve body 20. The second seal 32 can be received on and sealingly
engaged to the valve body 20 in a second seal location that is
axially spaced apart (i.e., along the longitudinal axis A) from the
second portion 58 of the inlet port 44 such that the inlet port 44
is disposed axially between the first and second seals 30 and 32.
The second seal 32 can be positioned such that the externally
threaded section 36 is disposed axially between the second seal 32
and the second portion 58 of the inlet port 44.
[0019] The actuator 14 can have a cover 70, a plunger assembly 72
and a coil 74. The cover 70 can be disposed about the plunger
assembly 72 and can be fixedly coupled to the actuator guide 26.
The plunger assembly 72 can comprise a rod 80, which can be
received through the rod channel 62 and the guide bore 68, and an
armature 82 that can be coupled to the rod 80. The plunger assembly
72 is movable in the cover 70 along the longitudinal axis A to move
the valve element 24 from the second position to the first
position. The coil 74 is disposed about the cover 70 and is
configured to generate a magnetic field (when the coil 74 is
powered by a source of electrical power) to move the armature
82.
[0020] In operation, fluid flow can be introduced to the variable
flow valve 10 via the inlet port 44, which can urge the valve
element away from the valve seat 50. The fluid flow can enter the
valve element chamber 40, flow past the valve element 24 and
through the outlet port 42. Depending on the maximum extent to
which the valve element 24 can be spaced apart from the valve seat
50, there may be little restriction (i.e., in a situation where the
maximum extent or spacing between valve element 24 and the seat
surface of the valve seat 50 is relatively large) or a relatively
large restriction (i.e., in a situation where the maximum extent or
spacing between valve element 24 and the seat surface of the valve
seat 50 is relatively small). The variable flow valve 10 can be
closed by providing electrical power to the coil 74 that causes the
plunger assembly 72 to move along the longitudinal axis A to drive
the valve element 24 into contact with the seat surface of the
valve seat 50 and maintain the valve element 24 in this position
(i.e., the first position). In situations where a flow rate that is
intermediate the above-two described flow rates is desired,
electrical power can be supplied to the coil 74 in a manner that
either varies the force that is applied by the plunger assembly 72
onto the valve element 24 or which cycles the valve element 24
between its first and second positions at a desired duty cycle.
Variation of the force that is applied by the plunger assembly 72
onto the valve element 24 could be achieved through a corresponding
change in the voltage that is applied to the coil 74 or through use
of a pulse-width modulation technique. The adjacent ends of the
armature 82 and the actuator guide 26 can be shaped in a desired
manner to tailor the holding force that is generated (magnetically)
when the coil 74 is operated. For example, the adjacent ends 86a
and 86b of the armature 82 and the actuator guide 26 can be formed
with corresponding conical surfaces. Stated another way, one of the
adjacent ends 86a and 86b can have a male frusto-conical shape and
the other one of the adjacent ends 86a and 86b can have a female
frusto-conically shaped bore that corresponds to the male
frusto-conical shape.
[0021] The variable flow valve 10 can function as a normally open
valve in which electrical power is not provided to the coil 74 and
fluid flow entering the variable flow valve 10 via the inlet port
44 can urge the valve element 24 away from the valve seat 50 and
exit through the outlet port 42. Alternatively, flow could be
reversed (such that fluid flow is introduced to the variable flow
valve 10 via the outlet port 42 and exits via the inlet port 44),
which would tend to restrict flow as the flow of fluid through the
variable flow valve 10 would tend to move the valve element 24
against the valve seat 50. When used in hydraulic circuits that
operate at relatively low pressure (i.e., <500 psi), the valve
body assembly 12 does not require extremely tight tolerances and as
such, its construction is simplified and its cost reduced as
compared with conventional variable flow valves. Moreover, it will
be appreciated that the effective length of the plunger assembly
72, along with the diameter of the inlet and inlet ports 42 and 44
can be varied to tailor the flow restriction and the pressure drop
through the variable flow valve 10.
[0022] A method for forming the variable flow valve 10 can include:
providing a valve body having an externally threaded section, a
valve element chamber, an outlet port, and an inlet port, the valve
element chamber defining a valve seat, the outlet port being formed
through a first axial end of the valve body and intersecting the
valve chamber radially outwardly of the valve seat, the inlet port
having a first portion, which intersects the valve seat, and second
portion that is in fluid communication with the first portion and
which extends transverse to a longitudinal axis of the valve body;
providing a valve element guide that defines a valve element
channel and a rod channel; installing a valve element to the valve
element channel in the valve element guide; installing the valve
element guide in the valve element chamber such that the valve
element is movable along the longitudinal axis between a first
position, in which the valve element is abutted against the valve
seat, and a second position in which the valve element is spaced
apart from the valve seat by a predetermined distance; installing a
valve actuator guide into the valve body and in abutment with the
valve element guide, the valve actuator guide including a guide
bore formed therethrough coincident with the longitudinal axis;
providing a plunger assembly having a rod and an armature;
positioning the rod through the guide bore and the rod channel such
that the rod is abutted against the valve element and the valve
element is abutted against the valve seat; moving the armature on
the rod such that a first surface on the armature is spaced apart
from a second surface on the valve actuator guide by a
predetermined distance; and securing the rod to the armature.
[0023] The method can optionally include press-fitting the rod to
the armature; bonding the rod to the armature; installing a cover
to the valve actuator guide, the cover defining a cavity into which
the armature is received; and/or coupling a coil to the cover.
[0024] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *